Challenges of nanotechnology in cosmetic permeation with caffeine

The evolution of beauty market and personal care is constant in Brazil as well in the rest of the world. Technological advances have brought up nanotechnology to the cosmetological field, employing active principles at atoms enveloped by vesicles, in order to take the active principle precisely to the target tissue to optimize the results achieved because of the considerable ease to cross skin barriers. Manufacturing of nanotechnology cosmetics is confronted with low absorption capacity. One of the many active principle found in cosmetic industry is caffeine, a pseudoalkaloid from the xanthine group used as a stimulant with the mechanism of the lipolytic action. This active is widely used in a esthetics and cosmetics field in treatments involving dysfunctions such as localized fat and fibroedema geloid. To work out perfectly, the principle active need to interact and create a set of factors that includes lipolysis intensification. The caffeine encapsulation in gel-based nanocosmetics has the purpose of taking this active up to the adipocyte, the target cell, for mentioned dysfunctions treatment. Thus, we aim to present a review of how has been, the use of caffeine in the production of cosmetics.

Time to modification of antiparkinson therapy in a group of patients from Colombia v1

Aims:To determine the time elapsed between the start of treatment with antiparkinson agents and the modification of the pharmacological therapy, and to establish its related factors, in a group of patients with Parkinson's disease from Colombia. Methods: Retrospective cohort study that collected information about the treatment of patients with Parkinson's disease who started drug therapy between June-2011 and December-2013; a 5-year follow-up was performed. Survival analyses for time to therapy modification were generated, and factors related to these changes were determined using Cox regression models. Results: A total of 3,224 patients (51.8% men) with a mean age of 73.1 ± 13.5 years started treatment with antiparkinson agents. After 5 years, 2,046 patients (63.5%) had modifications in drug therapy, in a mean time of 36.4 months (95% CI: 35.7-37.1). A total of 1,216 patients (37.8%) required the addition of another active principle, while 830 (25.7%) had a switch to another drug. In the multivariate analysis, male gender, age over 65 years, and the start of amantadine were identified as factors that increased the likelihood of therapy modification. The use of bromocriptine, biperiden, and monotherapy as an initial treatment were associated with a reduction in this likelihood. Conclusions: After 5 years of treatment, 63.5% of the patients with Parkinson's disease required modifications of their therapy, with a mean time of 3 years. Male sex, age over 65 years, and receiving initial therapy with amantadine affected the likelihood of switching therapy in these patients in Colombia.

ANTI-PYRETIC AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OFSOLANUM XANTHOCARPUM BERRIES IN SUITABLE ANIMAL MODELS

Background: Use of traditional medicines for treating various diseases have become a topic of global importance because of their safety, less side effects and cost-effectiveness. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the anti-pyretic and anti-inflammatory activity of aqueous extract of Solanum xanthocarpum berries (SXB) in suitable animal models. Methods: Anti-pyretic activity was assessed by dried yeast induced pyrexia in rats. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using carrageenan induced paw oedema in rats. Three doses of the plant extract (500, 1000 and 1500 mg/kg) prepared by dissolving the drugs in 2% gum acacia were used. Paracetamol 33 mg/kg and aspirin 100 mg/kg were used as standard drugs for anti-pyretic and anti-inflammatory activity respectively. Vehicle served as a control drug. Results: Acute toxicity study results demonstrated no mortality of animals after 24 hours. The aqueous extract of the plant significantly decreased the rectal temperature of the rats and significantly prevented increase in volume of paw oedema. Conclusion: The aqueous extract of Solanum xanthocarpum berries exerts its anti-pyretic and anti-inflammatory activity activity. However, further studies with the plant are required to evaluate the dose dependent activity and also to determine the active principle responsible for exact mechanism for both antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activity.

Evaluation of anxiolytic potential of ethanol root extract and fractions of Pterocarpus mildbraedii in mice

To evaluate the anxiolytic potential of ethanol root extract and fractions of Pterocarpus mildbreadii in mice. Elevated-I-maze model apparatus is a straight wooden passage, divided equally (16cm each) into two enclosed areas (close arms) at both ends of the “maze” and an open area in the centre of two enclosed ends (arms). The ethylacetate fraction of Pterocarpus mildbraedii showed significant increase (p<0.05) in number of unprotected head dips (uHDIPS) when compared to control group but there was no significant difference when compared with other group. The butanol fraction of Pterocarpus mildbraedii showed significant increase in number of unprotected head dips (uHDIPS) at higher dose of 200mg/kg when compared to control group (p<0.05), there was no significant difference when compared with diazepam, crude extract, n-hexane, increased dose of butanol fraction (200mg/kg) there was increased significant difference. The crude extract of Pterocarpus mildbreadii showed significant increase in number of unprotected head dips (uHDIPs) at the dose of 100mg/kg, it also showed same significant increase in number of unprotected head dips with ethylacetate fraction at the dose of 200mg/kg. Ethylacetate fraction of Pterocarpus mildbreadii (200mg/kg) showed significant increase in number of unprotected head dips when compared with the crude extract at the dose of 100mg/kg (p<0.05).Diazepam (2mg/kg) showed significant increase in number of unprotected head dips when compared with the control group. Ethylacetate fraction of Pterocarpus mildbreadii (100mg/kg) showed significant increase (p<0.05) in number of protected head dips when compared with the control group. Increased dose of ethylacetate fraction of Pterocarpus mildbraedii (200mg/kg) showed significant increase (p<0.05) in number of protected head dipping when compared with the control group. The oral administration of ethylacetate fraction (100mg/kg) and 200mg/kg) to mice showed anti-anxiety effects indicated by increase in number of unprotected head dips and decrease in number of unprotected head dips.. Experimental evidence obtained in the laboratory test model could provide a rational for the traditional use of this plant. The plant can be further screened to evaluate and elucidate the mechanism of action and possibly isolate the active principle.

A Study of Anxiety on Experimental Epileptic Rat Models using Dark Light Box

The word neurodegeneration refers to defects in neuronal structure and consequently its function. The main characteristics of these disorders are relentless progression and cognitive declination. Epilepsy is one of the neurodegenerative disorders, around 50 million people in the world are affected with. Though it is one of the major health problems in the present society, there are several gaps in understanding the consequences related to neurological disorders. As research works related to neurodegeneration is very much limited in India we have planned one as an initiative. We segregated 8 animal groups, each with 6 animals for this work. The animal groups are LC, CO, AC15, AC25, AC35, BA10, BA15 and BA20. This study was conducted on 10th day after the lesion by considering the day of lesion as day ‘1’ and the next day as day 2nd. All the animals were recovered completely within these 10 days and were put in the dark light box to analyse the anxiety level of the animals, so as to analyse the effect of the drug employed. This particular study clearly supported the efficacy of the drug as the drug group animals were less anxious or even behaved normal. Both the crude extract and the selected active principle have proved their efficacy by the study.

Prinsip Realitas Absolut dalam Teks Saivagama Nusantara

<p><em>Saivagama is a teaching which refers to Siva as Absolute Reality. Saivagama Nusantara, namely the Saiva teachings that developed in Indonesia, describes Siva with various names and attributes, such as in the Bhuwana Kosa it is called Rudra, Vrhaspati Tattva calls it Ishvara, and various negation names such as sunya, paramasunya, paramasiva and others. Several Saiva Nusantara texts generally discuss the Absolute Reality into three main groups, namely the existence of the Absolute Reality (Siva), the emanation of the Absolute Reality, and the Reabsorption of the Absolute Reality. Existentially Siva is described as Nirguna and Saguna. In principle Siva is characterless. However, when the active principle of Himself brings creation, then Siva is both immanent and transcendent at the same time. While in creation, Siva was shackled by various factors related to the material aspect. Meanwhile, the reabsorption aspect of absolute Reality describes the pralaya aspect, where all elements are returned to their highest aspect. Every being born evolutionarily is directed towards this process of reabsorption.</em></p><p><em><em>Saivagama</em> adalah sebuah ajaran yang menjadikan<em> Siva</em> sebagai Realitas Absolut. Saivagama Nusantara, yakni ajaran Saiva yang berkembang di wilayah Indonesia mendeskripsikan Siva dengan berbagai nama dan sifat, seperti dalam teks Bhuwana Kosa disebut Rudra, Vrhaspati Tattva menyebutnya Ishvara, serta berbagai sebutan negasi seperti sunya, paramasunya, paramasiva dan yang lainnya. Beberapa teks Saiva Nusantara secara umum membahas tentang Realitas Absolut ke dalam tiga gugusan utama, yakni eksistensi Realitas Absolut (Siva), emanasi Realitas Absolut, dan Reabsorpsi Realitas Absolut. Secara eksistensi Siva digambarkan sebagai Nirguna dan Saguna. Secara prinsip Siva tidak bersifat. Namun, ketika prinsip aktif dari diri-Nya menghadirkan ciptaan, maka Siva bersifat immanent maupun transcendent secara bersamaan. Ketika berada di dalam ciptaan, Siva dibelenggu oleh berbagai factor yang berhubunan dengan aspek material. Sementara itu, aspek reabsorpsi Realitas absolut menguraikan tentang aspek pralaya, dimana semua unsur dikembalikan ke aspek tertingginya. Setiap makhluk yang dilahirkan secara evolutif diarahkan menuju proses reabsorpsi ini.</em></p>

Identification of Anti-tubercular Compounds in Marine Organisms from Aotearoa

<p>Tuberculosis (TB) is responsible for more than one million human deaths per year globally, more than any other disease caused by a bacterial pathogen. Although effective treatments exist, the long duration of the current treatment regimen as well as associated drug toxicities can lead to patient non-compliance. This has resulted in the spread of drug resistance which is highlighted by the isolation of extensively drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in all regions of the globe. The management of drug-resistant TB cases requires an extended treatment duration of 18 months minimum post sputum-culture conversion, using drugs that are more frequently linked to adverse side-effects. Therefore, there is a need to identify new drugs that shorten treatment time, and also exhibit better tolerance in patients. This thesis describes the screening of crude marine extract libraries for the identification of novel anti-tubercular compounds. The libraries consisted of extracts from New Zealand marine organisms that were screened for growth inhibitory activity using a surrogate TB model organism M. smegmatis, and subsequently were validated against M. tuberculosis. Bioassay-guided fractionation led to the identification of two new compounds as well as a mixture of known compounds. In addition to anti-mycobacterial activity, the spectrum of activity of the isolated compounds was also investigated. Fractionation of the liver extract of the blobfish Psychrolutes marcidus led to the identification of a mixture of four common fatty acids as the major bioactive components. Testing each of the fatty acids individually identified palmitic acid as the most active component against M. tuberculosis H37Ra. This is at odds with current understanding of the fatty acid parameters required for bioactivity in terms of chain length and degree of unsaturation. Bioassay-guided fractionation of a Latrunculia sp. sponge extract led to the isolation of a novel taurinated terpene rimarikiamide A (98). This compound was initially believed to be responsible for the observed anti-mycobacterial activity, however, further purification led to partitioning of the anti-mycobacterial activity away from 98. The taurinated terpene rimarikiamide A was nevertheless tested for activity in mammalian cell lines and was found to exhibit higher levels of growth inhibition towards HL-60 cells with respect to HEK cells. Working with Xiphophora chondrophylla, a New Zealand brown alga, led to the identification of the amino alcohol 3-epi-xestoaminol C (156) a stereoisomer of a known compound, as the active principle. This compound displayed the same level of activity in all microorganisms tested, however it proved to be more active against HL-60 cells. To further investigate the mode of action of 156, chemical genetics was employed to indicate the relevant genetic networks that the compound interacts with. This led to the identification of expected pathways such as lipid metabolism as well as cytoskeletal organization, which have been linked to this class of compounds. Furthermore this work also identified new processes such as RNA catabolism, protein targeting and phosphorylation in addition to several unknown processes.</p>

Identification of Anti-tubercular Compounds in Marine Organisms from Aotearoa

<p>Tuberculosis (TB) is responsible for more than one million human deaths per year globally, more than any other disease caused by a bacterial pathogen. Although effective treatments exist, the long duration of the current treatment regimen as well as associated drug toxicities can lead to patient non-compliance. This has resulted in the spread of drug resistance which is highlighted by the isolation of extensively drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in all regions of the globe. The management of drug-resistant TB cases requires an extended treatment duration of 18 months minimum post sputum-culture conversion, using drugs that are more frequently linked to adverse side-effects. Therefore, there is a need to identify new drugs that shorten treatment time, and also exhibit better tolerance in patients. This thesis describes the screening of crude marine extract libraries for the identification of novel anti-tubercular compounds. The libraries consisted of extracts from New Zealand marine organisms that were screened for growth inhibitory activity using a surrogate TB model organism M. smegmatis, and subsequently were validated against M. tuberculosis. Bioassay-guided fractionation led to the identification of two new compounds as well as a mixture of known compounds. In addition to anti-mycobacterial activity, the spectrum of activity of the isolated compounds was also investigated. Fractionation of the liver extract of the blobfish Psychrolutes marcidus led to the identification of a mixture of four common fatty acids as the major bioactive components. Testing each of the fatty acids individually identified palmitic acid as the most active component against M. tuberculosis H37Ra. This is at odds with current understanding of the fatty acid parameters required for bioactivity in terms of chain length and degree of unsaturation. Bioassay-guided fractionation of a Latrunculia sp. sponge extract led to the isolation of a novel taurinated terpene rimarikiamide A (98). This compound was initially believed to be responsible for the observed anti-mycobacterial activity, however, further purification led to partitioning of the anti-mycobacterial activity away from 98. The taurinated terpene rimarikiamide A was nevertheless tested for activity in mammalian cell lines and was found to exhibit higher levels of growth inhibition towards HL-60 cells with respect to HEK cells. Working with Xiphophora chondrophylla, a New Zealand brown alga, led to the identification of the amino alcohol 3-epi-xestoaminol C (156) a stereoisomer of a known compound, as the active principle. This compound displayed the same level of activity in all microorganisms tested, however it proved to be more active against HL-60 cells. To further investigate the mode of action of 156, chemical genetics was employed to indicate the relevant genetic networks that the compound interacts with. This led to the identification of expected pathways such as lipid metabolism as well as cytoskeletal organization, which have been linked to this class of compounds. Furthermore this work also identified new processes such as RNA catabolism, protein targeting and phosphorylation in addition to several unknown processes.</p>

Mg, K-containing microparticle: A possible active principle of a culture extract produced by a microbial consortium

A synthetic microbial consortium called Effective Microorganisms (EM) consists mainly of photosynthetic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria and yeast. Various effects of EM∙XGOLD, a health drink produced by EM, on life cycle of Dictyostelium discoideum were described previously. Here, we report our attempt to identify the active principle, termed EMF, that brought about the observed effects. Throughout the purification processes, the presence of the active principle was monitored by promoted fruiting body formation. By liquid-liquid separation the activity was recovered in aqueous phase, which, after concentration, was further subjected to reverse-phase column chromatography. No activity was detected in any eluant, while almost all the activity was recovered in residual insoluble material. The application of conventional organic chemistry procedures to the residual fraction did not lead to any informative results. Acid treatment of the insoluble material produced air bubbles, suggesting it to be composed of some inorganic carbonate. Viewed under scanning electronmicroscope, the residue revealed spherical particles of μm size range. Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) Spectroscopy pointed to the existence, on the surface of the particles, of magnesium and, to a certain extent, of potassium. In separate experiments, acid treatment and alkali neutralization of EM∙XGOLD completely wiped out the stimulatory activity of fruiting body formation. These lines of evidence indicate these Mg, K-containing microparticles to be an active principle of EM culture extract. How these particles exert their effect is currently under intensive investigation.

Frank, Ludwig. Die psychokathartische Behandlung nervöser Störungen. (Psychoneurosen-Thymopathieri). Verlag Georg Thieme. Leipzig. 1927. IV + 208

Frank proposes to call psychoneuroses thymopathies, because psychoneuroses and all related diseases are disorders of the affective sphere of a quite definite nature. These are dynamic disorders of affective life, consisting mainly in the phenomena of the repression of affects, their accumulation and accumulation in the subconscious, their desire to move from the subconscious to the superconscious and the delay of this process due to the "internal resistance" (innerer Widerstand), displacing those striving for the release of affects back into the subconscious. With regard to the treatment of such dynamic disorders of the affective sphere, Frank considers psycho-cathartic treatment to be the most appropriate. The active principle of psychocatarsis is the awareness and secondary experience of affective excitations accumulated for various reasons in the subconscious. This is achieved in a hypnotic state of half-sleep, when the consciousness is narrowed only so much that the internal resistance falls, the delays disappear and there is a free reaction of the affects accumulated in the subconscious with the passive participation of superconscious attention. Having responded to the restrained affects and realizing those initial experiences with which painful symptoms are associated, the b-oh recovers.